Preparations are continuing for next year’s International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) and Association Sudamericana de Tiendas Libres (ASUTIL) Summit of the Americas which will take place as a virtual expo (5 April to 8 April).

Originally scheduled to be held in Palm Beach Florida, the event will now be virtual as revealed in September.

Speaking during a recent webinar updating media on plans for the event, Michael Payne, President and CEO, IAADFS said: “We have done an early and big push to get retailers engaged and have got their commitment. We are not seeking one person from a company but looking for many attendees.”

Aside buyer participation, the exhibition component is extremely important. Payne explained: “We have also done an early push for exhibitors, which is in the very early stage. We have a number of commitments including Ferrero, Mondelez, Essence, Monarq, Proximo Spirts, Duty Free Global and Lego to name a few.”

He added: “We are excited about the platform we are using. It is creative and going to be user friendly.”

RANGE OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Regarding the Knowledge Hub element of the summit, which will provide up-to-date learning sessions about the landscape, challenges and opportunities in the Americas, José Luis Donagaray, Secretary General, ASUTIL commented: “There will be keynote speakers from airports talking about the future and representatives from suppliers discussing the future of brands.”

Digitalisation will also a strong focus, according to Donagaray. “Covid-19 has changed a lot of us in terms of how we purchase and move. Many of us have had to quickly adapt to digitalisation.”

Motivation, leadership and the future of the DF&TR stores in terms of how the product mix night change will also be discussed.

In addition, there will also be an economic overview of the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation in Latin Americas with an update on how things are developing in Argentina and Brazil in particular. Sustainability will also be a theme of the conference, which will be available live or on demand.

“There will be panels about the cruise industry which is very important in all of the Caribbean and parts of South America and a panel focusing on regional and worldwide airlines.

“The aim of the conference is to provide information for operators and suppliers so they can proceed with their plans and forecasts for the next year.”

On the attractiveness of the platform for operators and their overall participation Donagaray commented: “This platform will give a platform for all operators to participate. We will be having operators from all over the Americas.

“Basically, you will be talking to countries including Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

“We have the commitment of all operators in these places and of those on the borders of Uruguay with Brazil and Argentina. The new Brazilian border store operators will also participate.”